There was a blind man who used to say, “Pity! I have two blindnesses, O people of the time.

پس دو باره رحمتم آرید هان ** چون دو کوری دارم و من در میان‏

Therefore, hark ye, show unto me twice as much compassion, since I have two blindnesses, and I (live) between (them.)”

گفت یک کوریت می‏بینیم ما ** آن دگر کوری چه باشد وانما1995

(Somebody) said, “We see one blindness of yours: what may the other blindness be? Explain.”

گفت زشت آوازم و ناخوش نوا ** زشت آوازی و کوری شد دوتا

He answered, “I have an ugly voice and unpleasing tones: ugliness of voice and blindness are double (blindness).

بانگ زشتم مایه‏ی غم می‏شود ** مهر خلق از بانگ من کم می‏شود

My ugly cry becomes the source of annoyance: the people's love is lessened by my cry.

زشت آوازم به هر جا که رود ** مایه‏ی خشم و غم و کین می‏شود

Whithersoever my ugly voice goes, it becomes the source of anger and annoyance and hatred.

بر دو کوری رحم را دوتا کنید ** این چنین ناگنج را گنجا کنید

Double your compassion for (these) two blindnesses: make room (in your hearts) for one who gets so little room.”

زشتی آواز کم شد زین گله ** خلق شد بر وی به رحمت یک دله‏2000

The ugliness of (his) voice was diminished by this plaint: the people became of one mind in (showing) compassion for him.

کرد نیکو چون بگفت او راز را ** لطف آواز دلش آواز را

When he had told the secret (and explained his meaning), his voice was made beautiful by the graciousness of the voice of his heart;

و انکه آواز دلش هم بد بود ** آن سه کوری دوری سرمد بود

But that one whose heart's voice also is bad—(for him) those three blindnesses are banishment everlasting (from the favour of God);

لیک وهابان که بی‏علت دهند ** بو که دستی بر سر زشتش نهند

Yet it may be that the bounteous (saints), who give without cause, will lay a hand (of blessing) upon his ugly head.

چون که آوازش خوش و مظلوم شد ** زو دل سنگین دلان چون موم شد

Since his (the blind beggar's) voice became sweet and pitiable, the hearts of the stony-hearted were made (soft) as wax thereby.

ناله‏ی کافر چو زشت است و شهیق ** ز آن نمی‏گردد اجابت را رفیق‏2005

Inasmuch as the infidel's lament is ugly and (like) braying, for that (reason) it meets with no (favourable) response.

اخسؤا بر زشت آواز آمده ست ** کاو ز خون خلق چون سگ بود مست‏

“Be silent” has come down (has been revealed in the Qur’án) against the ugly-voiced (infidel), for he was drunken with the people's blood, like a dog.

چون که ناله‏ی خرس رحمت کش بود ** ناله‏ات نبود چنین ناخوش بود

Inasmuch as the lament of the bear attracts compassion, (while) your lament is not like this, (but) is unpleasing,

دان که با یوسف تو گرگی کرده‏ای ** یا ز خون بی‏گناهی خورده‏ای‏

Know that you have behaved with wolfishness to (a) Joseph, or have drunk of the blood of an innocent.

توبه کن و ز خورده استفراغ کن ** ور جراحت کهنه شد رو داغ کن‏

Repent, and empty yourself of what you have drunk; and if your wound is old (and unhealed), go, cauterise (it).

تتمه‏ی حکایت خرس و آن ابله که بر وفای او اعتماد کرده بود

Continuation of the story of the bear and of the fool who had put trust in its good faith.

خرس هم از اژدها چون وارهید ** و آن کرم ز آن مرد مردانه بدید2010

The bear, too, when it was delivered from the dragon and received such kindness from that brave man—

چون سگ اصحاب کهف آن خرس زار ** شد ملازم در پی آن بردبار

Like the dog of the Men of the Cave, that poor bear became an attendant at the heels of him that bore the burden (of the fight with the dragon).

آن مسلمان سر نهاد از خستگی ** خرس حارس گشت از دل بستگی‏

That Moslem, from fatigue, laid down his head (to rest); the bear, from devotion (to him), became (his) guard.

آن یکی بگذشت و گفتش حال چیست ** ای برادر مر ترا این خرس کیست‏

A certain man passed by and said to him, “What has happened? O brother, who is this bear (in relation) to you?”

قصه واگفت و حدیث اژدها ** گفت بر خرسی منه دل ابلها

He recounted the adventure, and the story of the dragon. The other said, “Do not set your heart on a bear, O fool!

دوستی ابله بتر از دشمنی است ** او بهر حیله که دانی راندنی است‏2015

The friendship of a fool is worse than (his) enmity: it (the bear) ought to be driven away by every means you know.”

گفت و الله از حسودی گفت این ** ور نه خرسی چه نگری این مهر بین‏

He (the man with the bear) said (to himself), “By God, he has said this from envy; otherwise,” (he said aloud), “why do you look at the bearishness (of the bear)? Behold this affection (which it has for me)!”

گفت مهر ابلهان عشوه‏ده است ** این حسودی من از مهرش به است‏

“The affection of fools,” said the other, “is beguiling; this envy of mine is better than its (the bear's) affection.

هی بیا با من بران این خرس را ** خرس را مگزین مهل هم جنس را

Hey, come with me and drive away this bear: do not choose the bear (as your friend), do not forsake one of your own kind!”

گفت رو رو کار خود کن ای حسود ** گفت کارم این بد و رزقت نبود

“Go, go,” said he, “mind your own business, O envious man!” Said the other, “This was my business, and it was not your fortune (to follow my advice).

من کم از خرسی نباشم ای شریف ** ترک او کن تا منت باشم حریف‏2020

I am not less than a bear, O noble sir: abandon it, in order that I may be your comrade.

بر تو دل می‏لرزدم ز اندیشه‏ای ** با چنین خرسی مرو در بیشه‏ای‏

My heart is trembling with anxiety for you: do not go into a forest with a bear like this.

این دلم هرگز نلرزید از گزاف ** نور حق است این نه دعوی و نه لاف‏

This heart of mine has never trembled in vain; this is the Light of God, not pretence or idle brag.

مومنم ینظر بنور الله شده ** هان و هان بگریز از این آتشکده‏

I am the true believer who has become seeing by the Light of God. Beware and beware! Flee from this fire-temple!”

این همه گفت و به گوشش در نرفت ** بد گمانی مرد را سدی است زفت‏

He said all this, and it entered not his ear: suspicion is a thick barrier to a man.

دست او بگرفت و دست از وی کشید ** گفت رفتم چون نه‏ای یار رشید2025

He took his hand, and he (the man with the bear) withdrew his hand from him. The other said, “I will go, since you are not a well-guided friend.”